High rents continue to dominate Canada’s rental market, and a new national survey suggests affordability remains the biggest hurdle for people searching for a place to live.
According to Rentals.ca’s Spring Renter Preference Survey, 70 per cent of renters say high rental prices are the single biggest challenge they face. The survey, based on responses from 1,194 renters across Canada, found affordability ranked well ahead of concerns such as limited rental supply or unsuitable listings.
The findings mirror many of the housing discussions taking place in Northumberland, where local officials, housing providers and advocacy groups have frequently pointed to both affordability and a shortage of available rental housing as barriers for residents looking for a place to live.
The survey found 42 per cent of renters have a monthly housing budget below $1,500, while Canada’s average asking rent now exceeds $2,000 a month.
Forty per cent of respondents said they plan to move primarily to find a more affordable rental, while only one-quarter expect rents to decrease over the next six months.
The report also suggests technology is becoming part of the apartment search process. Nearly one in three renters said they have used artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT or Google Gemini, to compare prices, research neighbourhoods, understand lease terms or communicate with landlords.
While affordability remains the dominant concern nationally, the survey found renters with larger budgets were more likely to cite a lack of available inventory or difficulty finding suitable units-an issue that continues to affect many communities, including Northumberland, where available rental housing remains limited.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
